Travel Insurance, and expert medical advice please.

JockandRita

JockandRita

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Since May 05 (Ex Tuggers).
If there are any medical experts out there, who can give an honest opinion on the following post, we'd be very grateful thanks.

We have been researching travel insurance with several companies, and with pre existing conditions declared, we were just about to sign up to the Nationwide's Flex Plus Account insurance...........................until I asked a question re Covid, ie, if we have had Covid, did we need to declare it?
The answer from the non medically qualified person was "Yes".

We are already being stung for Rita's Crohns Disease, (part of the IBD group of conditions), as she has had 3 x major operations for it since 1987, and regularly takes drugs by injection, to keep inflammation of the small intestine at bay.

When she had Covid back in February 2022, because she is in the vulnerable category, she had to go to Lincoln County Hospital for a "Viral Drug Fusion", which is shown on her records as an "Anti Infective Agent".
In our eyes, this is not being treated for Covid, but more of a procedure preventing Rita's system from suffering the severest effects of Covid.
Not according to the non medically qualified person on the end of the phone. As far as they are concerned, Rita was treated for Covid, and subsequently slapped on another premium.

What are the opinions please, of those (currently or formerly), medically qualified to give an informed opinion?

Thanks in advance,

Jock & Rita. :)
 
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JockandRita said:
If there are any medical experts out there, who can give an honest opinion on the following post, we'd be very grateful thanks.
We have been researching travel insurance with several companies, and with pre existing conditions declared, we were just about to sign up to the Nationwide's Flex Plus Account insurance...........................until I asked a question re Covid, ie, if we have had Covid, did we need to declare it?
The answer from the non medically qualified person was "Yes".

We are already being stung for Rita's Crohns Disease, (part of the IBD group of conditions), as she has had 3 x major operations for it since 1987, and regularly takes drugs by injection, to keep inflammation of the small intestine at bay.

When she had Covid back in February 2022, because she is in the vulnerable category, she had to go to Lincoln County Hospital for a "Viral Drug Fusion", which is shown on her records as an "Anti Infective Agent".
In our eyes, this is not being treated for Covid, but more of a procedure preventing Rita's system from suffering the severest effects of Covid.
Not according to the non medically qualified person on the end of the phone. As far as they are concerned, Rita was treated for Covid, and subsequently slapped on another premium.

What are the opinions please, of those (currently or formerly), medically qualified to give an informed opinion?

Thanks in advance,

Jock & Rita. :)
Click to expand...
How would I answer that , I have never had a test for covid, don't know whether I have had it or not?
 
Hi Jock and Rita

When Jen had her big C issues she would get put through to a medical screening line who were more medically qualified, but don’t know if Nationwide have such a department.

Martin
 
I can't why it should make much difference to them, 90% of the population has had a dose of covid 19 now have't they ?
 
I think you probably do have to declare Covid and any treatments for it. Especially as it is recorded in Rita's records. It has caused long lasting damage in some people.

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She is more at risk from Covid than those without Crohn’s. As such they will load the premium. If your good lady needed that treatment abroad after catching a second dose of Covid, it would be up to them to pay for it.

The problem with not declaring anything is it gives them a reason to not pay out and it can get very expensive indeed.
 
It seems clear enough on their website that you must declare if in the previous 12 months you have had any medical treatment or been prescribed medication by a doctor (whether you took it or not). Your wife had Covid 5 months ago and had to go to hospital for treatment.

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You have to declare everything.
Might be worth trying Staysure.
 
funflair said:
Hi Jock and Rita

When Jen had her big C issues she would get put through to a medical screening line who were more medically qualified, but don’t know if Nationwide have such a department.

Martin
Click to expand...
No Martin, I couldn't get past the non medically qualified script reader. :(

Figaro said:
I can't why it should make much difference to them, 90% of the population has had a dose of covid 19 now have't they ?
Click to expand...
Exactly.

Red Sonja said:
I think you probably do have to declare Covid and any treatments for it. Especially as it is recorded in Rita's records. It has caused long lasting damage in some people.
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Googlebot said:
She is more at risk from Covid than those without Crohn’s. As such they will load the premium. If your good lady needed that treatment abroad after catching a second dose of Covid, it would be up to them to pay for it.

The problem with not declaring anything is it gives them a reason to not pay out and it can get very expensive indeed.
Click to expand...

Podney said:
You have to declare everything.
Might be worth trying Staysure.
Click to expand...
We did declare that we have had Covid. That is not the issue.
The issue is that Rita was not treated for Covid, (neither was I), but instead offered a preventive fusion of anti viral drugs, to prevent her system being affected by the nastier effects of Covid, ie, a bit like a vaccine. She wasn't suffering anything other than mild symptoms. She had more of a reaction to the first vaccine, than she had when she tested positive for Covid.

It's no wonder some folks take chances by not taking out travel insurance, which is less of an option now since Brexit.

Jock.
 
I'm no medical expert, but...OFFICIALLY, Covid is just a cold.....You wouldn't bother telling anyone you had a cold last year, so, in my opinion, I wouldn't mention it....

Good luck.

John

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Podney said:
You have to declare everything.
Might be worth trying Staysure.
Click to expand...

When we were looking for the holiday insurance for this year we rang a few Companies and made sure we had a detail of any consultations with the Doc over the last couple of years.

Obviously we phoned the Companies to describe what we had suffered with and one plonker behind the phone went like this.

Me; Yes I had to consult the Doc by phone as I had some dry skin on my eyelid which would not clear up even after talking to the chemist.

Him; and what was the medical name for this affliction ?

Me, nee idea, it was dry skin, got ointment, it went away.

Him, we must have the medical name to quote, could you consult your Doctor to find out what it was called?

Me; you want me to make an appointment with my Doctor to ask him what the proper name was for dry skin on an eyelid ? Do you know how busy these people are ? He'd never forgive me.

Him; sorry we can't quote otherwise.

Me; Bye Bye, slam !
 
Nothing to add Jock but following with interest.
I am in the same position as Rita, being on the at risk list and also having had the preventative infusion.
Planning a possible 90 day trip I have started researching insurance.
A quote from LV yesterday came out at just under £600 for me , not including Anita.
Scary prices.
Graham
 
Why don't people simply not trust in the EHIC card? It gives you emergency medical treatment any where in Europe for free.
 
Stealaway said:
Why don't people simply not trust in the EHIC card? It gives you emergency medical treatment any where in Europe for free.
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Now the GHIC card. Does it get you home again in an emergency and the various other benefits of travel insurance? Thought not. :wondering:
 
Stealaway said:
Why don't people simply not trust in the EHIC card? It gives you emergency medical treatment any where in Europe for free.
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Unfortunately, it doesn't cover medical repatriation. :(

Jock.

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The Exeter Group.... I think that is their name?
Specialist insurance and they almost always go through a real doctors assessment.
My Mum... 80, three heart attacks, triple bypass and 50 years Type 1 diabetic...... Made us jump through a few hoops!
 
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Bailey58 said:
Now the GHIC card. Does it get you home again in an emergency and the various other benefits of travel insurance? Thought not. :wondering:
Click to expand...
I suppose I am assuming that I'm not going to be so seriously hospilised and that I can't get my wife or kid's to drive me home.
I only tend to go to France and Germany.
 
Well I'm a vet not a doctor, but I'd say if she was given antiviral drugs whilst she had a viral infection (covid) that was a treatment. Even if the aim of that drug was only to reduce the affects of the infection.
 
Aireworth said:
Well I'm a vet not a doctor
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But you are medically qualified to give an informed and professional opinion.

Aireworth said:
but I'd say if she was given antiviral drugs whilst she had a viral infection (covid) that was a treatment. Even if the aim of that drug was only to reduce the affects of the infection.
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Thanks for your definition. Much appreciated. (y)

Jev88 said:
The Exeter Group.... I think that is their name?
Specialist insurance and they almost always go through a real doctors assessment.
My Mum... 80, three heart attacks, triple bypass and 50 years Type 1 diabetic...... Made us jump through a few hoops!
Click to expand...
Thanks Jev. I did check them out, but they specialise in private healthcare rather than travel insurance.

Jock. :)
 
I am afraid you are going to have to accept that Rita was in fact “treated” for Covid Jock. She will have been given a monoclonal antibody infusion or antiretroviral medication, sounds like she had the infusion. It was given in the hope that it would stop people who were immunocompromised by their health conditions or treatments getting really sick. It didn’t always work but it is a treatment nontheless.

Things are only truly preventative in medicicine if they stop you getting ill in the first place like vaccines or blood pressure medication and cholesterol drugs to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

If you speak to the insurance company the first person usually just has a crib sheet but they can then refer onto someone with a bit more knowledge. Our insurance is with our Lloyds bank account and it’s an obsolete account lasting up to aged 80 for 63 days so we really didn’t want to lose it. We’ve both had health stuff this year that I knew would load the premiums. One bit was complicated but in the end it wasn’t anywhere near as expensive as I expected. I think the bigger companies really do have specialist medical folk. Good luck.

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I am afraid you are going to have to accept that Rita was in fact “treated” for Covid Jock. She will have been given a monoclonal antibody infusion or antiretroviral medication, sounds like she had the infusion. It was given in the hope that it would stop people who were immunocompromised by their health conditions or treatments getting really sick. It didn’t always work but it is a treatment nontheless.

Things are only truly preventative in medicicine if they stop you getting ill in the first place like vaccines or blood pressure medication and cholesterol drugs to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

If you speak to the insurance company the first person usually just has a crib sheet but they can then refer onto someone with a bit more knowledge. Our insurance is with our Lloyds bank account and it’s an obsolete account lasting up to aged 80 for 63 days so we really didn’t want to lose it. We’ve both had health stuff this year that I knew would load the premiums. One bit was complicated but in the end it wasn’t anywhere near as expensive as I expected. I think the bigger companies really do have specialist medical folk. Good luck.
Many thanks for your detailed and informed input carolyn which really is much appreciated, ie, from the horse's mouth so to speak. ;)
That says it all, and without a shadow of doubt.

If you speak to the insurance company the first person usually just has a crib sheet but they can then refer onto someone with a bit more knowledge
Click to expand...
Tried that, but was unsuccessful. :(

Thanks again,

Jock. :)
 
JockandRita Jock. We've used euro tunnel insurance in the past. ie before covid and brexit. I've never had to claim on it though so can't speak about how good it is but as long as your doc says you are fit to travel you don't have to declare any conditions. Might be worth a look.
 
Hils and Glenns said:
JockandRita Jock. We've used euro tunnel insurance in the past. ie before covid and brexit. I've never had to claim on it though so can't speak about how good it is but as long as your doc says you are fit to travel you don't have to declare any conditions. Might be worth a look.
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Thanks Hilary. :)
Their annual multi trip cover is for a maximum of 31 x days only, on any single trip. We hope to be away for up to 90 x days in winter.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
I was going to suggest Eurotunnel as well. As we're now over 70 we can only get single trip with them - they don't annual multi trip for us now.

They've changed things now that you must have a trip booked with Eurotunnel to use it - this is something they introduced a couple of years ago.

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Hi Jock. Have you tried Allclear travel ins, they are doing 20% off until 31st August, with code SUMMER20.
 
I was with Insureandgo for several years, one minor ailment.
Last year the annual premium was £56 for worldwide including North America.
I expected an increase this year - inflation, covid, and I'm a year older [but not yet 65] - however I felt a tripling of the renewal a 'little' excessive even with the 10% loyalty bonus and not including North America.

Advised on another forum to look at Staysure & Allclear
Staysure offered slightly better cover than Insureandgo at 'only' £116 less 15% discount because I didn't buy straight away. So happy with that.
Allclear, for me couldn't compete - plus they're hassling me which I don't like.
 
Langtoftlad said:
Have you tried https://www.medicaltravelcompared.co.uk/ ?
Suggested by Moneysavingexpert.com
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Unfortunately, a bit of a fail there by the looks of it. :(

"We can't seem to find anything​

We've had a look through our panel of insurers, but we couldn't find you a suitable policy. You can try editing your search by using the filters or, if you've selected an annual multi-trip, you could try swapping to a single trip policy instead."

Cheers,

Jock. :)

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